Chicago Farm Accident Lawyer

Experienced Farming Accident Law Firm Proudly Serving Illinois Residents

The farming industry is among the most dangerous in Illinois, with heavy machinery, long hours, and hazardous conditions increasing the risk of serious injury. When a farm accident occurs, a skilled farm accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation and hold negligent parties accountable, whether the injury was caused by faulty equipment, unsafe working conditions, or employer negligence.

Settlements Recovered by Our Illinois Farm Accident Attorneys 

• $8.4 million for a worker injured in a barn fall due to missing safety gear
• $7 million for an amputation caused by a defective tilling machine
• $4.2 million for workers exposed to toxic farm chemicals causing lung damage

Common Causes of Farming Accidents

The agricultural industry is inherently dangerous. Farm workers are exposed to many potential hazards that could easily cause a work-related injury. 

Defective Farm Equipment

Tractors, grain augers, hay balers, front-end loaders, and skid steer loaders make farm work much less taxing on workers and improve efficiency. However, defective farm equipment can cause serious injuries ranging from amputations to death. 

Slip and Fall Accidents

A slip and fall injury attorney from our team can help explore the best course of action following such incidents, whether to file a workers’ compensation claim against your employer for the dangerous conditions or to file a personal injury claim.

Chemical Exposure

Farm workers are often subjected to high levels of pesticide exposure in many forms. Pesticide exposure can cause a range of injuries, from burns to death. Our chemical exposure lawyers can help you file a lawsuit to recover compensation.

Your Legal Options Following a Farm Accident Injury in IL

Due to the unique circumstances of a farming accident, farm accident victims and their families may have different legal options available to them to recover maximum compensation. A farm accident lawyer from our team can help you decide which one is best for your situation.

Personal Injury Claim

If someone else’s negligence or actions caused your injury, you could work with personal injury attorneys to file a lawsuit against the party responsible. Your farm accident lawyers may recommend filing your claim against the farm owner, farm equipment manufacturer, or independent contractors who are at fault. 

Third-Party Claim

A third-party claim is filed against the insurance company of someone else. For instance, this could be filing a claim with the insurance companies the farm owner uses for business liability and auto insurance. 

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

If you’re an employee who has been involved in a farm accident, you will likely be eligible for benefits under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act Your workers’ compensation lawyers can help you build a strong workers’ compensation insurance claim.

Wrongful Death Claim

Unfortunately, many farm workers die from farm accidents each year. Our wrongful death attorneys can help families file a claim on behalf of the deceased. The types of damages that can be recovered include funeral and burial expenses, loss of consortium, and financial damages,

Compensation an Experienced Farm Accident Lawyer Can Help You Recover

An experienced farm accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve after an injury. While there isn’t a go-to amount you can expect to receive, you are generally able to recover these types of expenses in a personal injury lawsuit:  

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Rehabilitation cost
• Disfigurement
• Scarring
• Permanent disability
• Lost income potential
• Wrongful death benefits

The Most Common Injuries Sustained by Farm Workers

While farming is inherently dangerous, farm owners have a responsibility to do everything within their power to keep farm workers safe. Unfortunately, farm accidents are incredibly common and can lead to a wide range of injuries, including:

• Amputations – The arms and legs of agricultural workers can get caught in farm equipment, especially if proper safety equipment or protocols are not in place;
• Broken bones – Broken bones are incredibly common farm accident injuries. Chicago broken bone injury attorneys can ensure you receive fair compensation;
• Heat injuries – Farm workers spend a significant amount of time outside and in the sun. Without the ability to access water and take appropriate breaks, some farm workers may suffer heat injuries such as heat stroke;
• Paralysis – Paralysis can occur after tractor rollovers or falls. Life after paralysis requires extensive medical treatment and skilled nursing assistance. Paralysis attorneys can work to account for all future expenses you’ll have related to your accident;
• Traumatic brain injuries – Traumatic brain injuries are life-altering and difficult to overcome, resulting in high rehabilitation expenses. TBI lawyers have expertise in recovering compensation in these cases;
• Tractor accidents – Tractor rollovers in vehicles without rollover protective structures are a leading cause of death of agricultural workers; 
• Burns – Farm workers can be burnt by farm equipment, controlled fires, and chemicals;
• Chemical exposure – Chemical exposure can burn, injure, and disfigure agricultural workers 
• Cancer – Exposure to certain chemicals such as glyphosate and asbestos is related to the development of some cancers;
• Respiratory disease – Exposure to animal feces and poor farm conditions can cause the development of respiratory diseases such as Histoplasmosis;
• Infections – Animal bites can lead to serious infection; 
• Suffocation – Farm workers can easily be suffocated when unloading a silo or grain bin.

What to Do After a Farming Accident

The initial hours and days after workplace accidents can be disorienting. However, the steps you take could make a difference in a potential legal case. Here are some general steps injured farm workers should take:

• Seek immediate medical attention – Many injuries are not obvious at the accident scene and can only be diagnosed by a trained doctor. Your medical records will serve as important evidence of your farm injuries in court;
• Report the injury – Depending on the nature of your injuries and your role on the farm, farm accident victims may need to report injuries to different people. This can include your employer, your client (if you’re an independent contractor), and any applicable insurance companies. If you aren’t sure of who to report your accident injuries to, a farm accident attorney can help; 
• Collect and preserve evidence – Injured workers should try to collect and preserve evidence of their accidents and injuries so this evidence can be used in any claims. This can be as simple as requesting printed copies of medical records and taking dated photos of their injuries with a smartphone; 
• Seek legal representation – Schedule a consultation with a farm accident lawyer to learn more about your legal rights to financial compensation after your injury. Depending on the nature and circumstances surrounding your farm accident, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits and/or eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. 

Farm Accident Injury Claims Have a Deadline

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the injury (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Missing this deadline usually means losing your right to sue. A Chicago farm accident attorney can review your case and ensure the legal process is started on time.

Farm Accident Stats

• At 21.3 per 100,000, agriculture in Illinois has the highest rate of worker deaths compared to other industries. In 2023 alone, there were 15 fatal farm accidents.
• Between 1999 and 2019, Illinois saw 510 fatal farm incidents. Tractor accidents were by far the most deadly (213 deaths).
• Fatal farming injuries in Illinois affected all age groups, but older adults were hit hardest. Those 65 and older accounted for the most deaths (181), followed closely by those aged 45–64 (173). 

Consult a Chicago Personal Injury Attorney Today!

Our farm accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t have to pay anything upfront or out of your pocket for our services to help you receive the maximum compensation for your injury.

Schedule a free consultation with a farm injury lawyer at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers by filling out our contact form or calling (888) 424-5757.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.